DEFINITIONS
A term used as stated below is shown in italic type or, in preambles, in bold italic type. The meaning of several other terms is given in Terminology in the Introduction.
Abandon A race that a race committee or protest committee abandons is void but may be resailed.
Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap One boat is clear astern of another when her hull and equipment in normal position are behind a line abeam from the aftermost point of the other boat’s hull and equipment in normal position. The other boat is clear ahead. They overlap when neither is clear astern. However, they also overlap when a boat between them overlaps both. These terms always apply to boats on the same tack. They apply to boats on opposite tacks only when rule 18 applies between them or when both boats are sailing more than ninety degrees from the true wind.
Committee The protest committee, the race committee or the technical committee.
Conflict of Interest A conflict of interest exists if a person
(a) may gain or lose as a result of a decision to which that person
contributes,
(b) may reasonably appear to have a personal or financial interest which could affect that person’s ability to be impartial, or
(c) has a close personal interest in a decision.
Continuing Obstruction An obstruction is a continuing obstruction when the boat with the shortest hull referred to in the rule using the term will pass alongside it for at least three of her hull lengths. However, the following are not a continuing obstruction: a vessel under way, a boat racing, or a race committee vessel that is also a mark.
Fetching A boat is fetching a mark when she is in a position to pass to windward of it and leave it on the required side without changing tack.
Finish A boat finishes when, after her starting signal, any part of her hull crosses the finishing line from the course side. However, she has not finished if after crossing the finishing line she
(a) takes a penalty under rule 44.2,
(b) corrects an error in sailing the course made at the line, or
(c) continues to sail the course.
After finishing she need not cross the finishing line completely. The sailing instructions may change the direction in which boats are required to cross the finishing line to finish.
Keep Clear A boat keeps clear of a right-of-way boat
(a) if the right-of-way boat can sail her course with no need to take avoiding action and,
(b) when the boats are overlapped, if the right-of-way boat can also change course in both directions without immediately making contact.
Leeward and Windward A boat’s leeward side is the side that is or, when she is head to wind, was away from the wind. However, when sailing by the lee or directly downwind, her leeward side is the side on which her mainsail lies. The other side is her windward side. When two boats on the same tack overlap, the one on the leeward side of the other is the leeward boat. The other is the windward boat.
Mark An object the sailing instructions require a boat to leave on a specified side, a race committee vessel surrounded by navigable water from which the starting or finishing line extends, and an object intentionally attached to the object or vessel. However, an anchor line is not part of the mark.
Mark-Room Room for a boat
(a) to sail to the mark when her proper course is to sail close to it,
(b) to round or pass the mark on the required side, and
(c) to leave it astern.
Obstruction An obstruction is
(a) an object, area or line that is so designated in a rule; or
(b) an object that can be safely passed on only one side.
(c). an object that a boat could not pass without changing course substantially, if she were sailing directly towards it and one of her hull lengths from it;
However, a boat racing is not an obstruction to other boats unless they are required to keep clear of her or, if rule 22 applies, avoid her.
Overlap See Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap.
Party A party to a hearing is
(a) for a protest hearing: a protestor, a protestee;
(b) for a redress hearing: a boat requesting redress or for which redress is requested; a boat for which a hearing is called to consider redress under rule 61.1; a committee acting under rule 61.1;
(c) for a redress hearing under rule 61.4(b)(1): the body alleged to have made an improper action or omission;
(d) a person against whom an allegation of a breach of rule 69.1(a) is made; a person presenting an allegation under rule 69.2(e)(1);
(e) a support person subject to a hearing under rule 62 or 69; any boat that person supports; a person appointed to present an allegation under rule 62.2.
However, the protest committee is never a party.
Postpone A postponed race is delayed before its scheduled start but may be started or abandoned later.
Proper Course A course a boat would choose in order to sail the course as quickly as possible in the absence of the other boats referred to in the rule using the term. A boat has no proper course before her starting signal.
Protest An allegation made under rule 60 by a boat or a committee that a boat has broken a rule.
Racing A boat is racing from her preparatory signal until she finishes and clears the finishing line and marks or retires, or until the race committee signals a general recall, postponement or abandonment.
Room The space a boat needs in the existing conditions, including space to comply with her obligations under the rules of Part 2 and rule 31, while manoeuvring promptly in a seamanlike way.
Rule
(a) The rules in this book, including the Definitions, Race Signals, Introduction, preambles and the rules of relevant appendices, but not the Basic Principles or titles;
(b) World Sailing Regulations that have been designated by World Sailing as having the status of a rule and are published on the World Sailing website;
(c) the prescriptions of the national authority, unless they are changed by the notice of race or sailing instructions in compliance with the national authority’s prescription, if any, to rule 88.2;
(d) the class rules (for a boat racing under a handicap or rating system, the rules of that system are ‘class rules’);
(e) the notice of race;
(f) the sailing instructions; and
(g) any other documents that govern the event.
Sail the Course A boat sails the course when
(a) she starts
(b) a string representing her track until she finishes, when drawn taut,
(1) passes each mark of the course for the race on the required side and in the correct order (including the starting marks),(
(2) touches each mark designated in the sailing instructions to be a rounding mark, and
(3) passes between the marks of a gate from the direction of the course from the previous mark; and then
(c) she finishes.
A mark that does not begin, bound or end the leg the boat is sailing does not have a required side.
Start A boat starts when, her hull having been entirely on the pre-start side of the starting line at or after her starting signal, and having complied with rule 30.1 if it applies, any part of her hull crosses the starting line from the pre-start side to the course side.
Support Person Any person who
(a) provides, or may provide, physical or advisory support to a competitor, including any coach, trainer, manager, team staff, medic, paramedic or any other person working with, treating or assisting a competitor in or preparing for the competition, or
(b) is the parent or guardian of a competitor.
Tack, Starboard or Port A boat is on the tack, starboard or port, corresponding to her windward side.
Windward See Leeward and Windward.
Zone The area around a mark within a distance of three hull lengths of the boat nearer to it. A boat is in the zone when any part of her hull is in the zone.
BASIC PRINCIPLES
The Basic Principles shall not be changed.
SPORTSMANSHIP AND THE RULES
Competitors in the sport of sailing are governed by a body of rules that they are expected to follow and enforce. A fundamental principle of sportsmanship is that when a boat breaks a rule and is not exonerated, she will promptly take an appropriate penalty or action, which may be to retire.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
Participants are encouraged to minimize any adverse environmental impact of the sport of sailing.
PART 1
FUNDAMENTAL RULES
1 SAFETY
1.1 Helping Those in Danger
A boat, competitor or support person shall give all possible help to any person or vessel in danger.
1.2 Life-Saving Equipment and Personal Flotation Devices
A boat shall carry adequate life-saving equipment for all persons on board, including one item ready for immediate use, unless her class rules make some other provision. Each competitor is individually responsible for wearing a personal flotation device adequate for the conditions.
Refer to the Australian Sailing prescription to rule 48. 2 FAIR SAILING
A boat and her owner shall compete in compliance with recognized principles of sportsmanship and fair play. A boat may be penalized under this rule only if it is clearly established that these principles have been violated. The penalty shall be a disqualification that is not excludable.
DECISION TO RACE
The responsibility for a boat’s decision to participate in a race or to continue racing is hers alone.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE RULES
By participating or intending to participate in an event conducted under the rules, each competitor and boat owner agrees to accept the rules.
(b) A support person by providing support, or a parent or guardian by permitting their child to enter an event, agrees to accept the rules.
Each competitor and boat owner agrees, on behalf of their support persons, that such support persons are bound by the rules.
Acceptance of the rules includes agreement
(a) to be governed by the rules;
(b) to accept the penalties imposed and other action taken under the rules, subject to the appeal and review procedures provided in them, as the final determination of any matter arising under the rules;
(c) with respect to any such determination, not to resort to any court of law or tribunal not provided for in the rules; and
(d) by each competitor and boat owner to ensure that their support persons are aware of the rules. The person in charge of each boat shall ensure that all competitors in the crew and the boat’s owner are aware of their responsibilities under this rule.
This rule may be changed by a prescription of the national authority of the venue.
RULES GOVERNING ORGANIZING AUTHORITIES AND OFFICIALS
The organizing authority, a committee and other race officials shall be governed by the rules in the conduct and judging of the event.
WORLD SAILING REGULATIONS
Each competitor, boat owner and support person shall comply with the World Sailing Regulations that have been designated by World Sailing as having the status of a rule. These regulations as of 30 June 2024 are the World Sailing:
PART 2
WHEN BOATS MEET
The rules of Part 2 apply between boats that are sailing in or near the racing area and intend to race, are racing, or have been racing. However, a boat not racing shall not be penalized for breaking one of these rules, except rule 14 when the incident resulted in injury or serious damage, or rule 23.1.
When a boat sailing under these rules meets a vessel that is not, she shall comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (IRPCAS) or government right-of- way rules. If the notice of race so states, the rules of Part 2 are replaced by the right-of-way rules of the IRPCAS or by government right-of-way rules.
SECTION A
RIGHT OF WAY
A boat has right of way over another boat when the other boat is required to keep clear of her. However, some rules in Sections B, C and D limit the actions of a right-of-way boat.
10 ON OPPOSITE TACKS
When boats are on opposite tacks, a port-tack boat shall keep clear of a starboard-tack boat.
11 ON THE SAME TACK, OVERLAPPED
When boats are on the same tack and overlapped, a windward boat shall keep clear of a leeward boat.
12 ON THE SAME TACK, NOT OVERLAPPED
When boats are on the same tack and not overlapped, a boat clear astern shall keep clear of a boat clear ahead.
13 WHILE TACKING
After a boat passes head to wind, she shall keep clear of other boats until she is on a close-hauled course. During that time rules 10, 11 and 12 do not apply. If two boats are subject to this rule at the same time, the one on the other’s port side or the one astern shall keep clear.
SECTION B
GENERAL LIMITATIONS
14 AVOIDING CONTACT
If reasonably possible, a boat shall
15 ACQUIRING RIGHT OF WAY
When a boat acquires right of way, she shall initially give the other boat room to keep clear, unless she acquires right of way because of the other boat’s actions.
16 CHANGING COURSE
16.1. When a right-of-way boat changes course, she shall give the other boat room to keep clear.
16.2 In addition, on a beat to windward when a port-tack boat is keeping clear by sailing to pass to leeward of a starboard-tack boat, the starboard-tack boat shall not bear away if as a result the port-tack boat must change course immediately to continue keeping clear.
17 ON THE SAME TACK; PROPER COURSE
If a boat clear astern becomes overlapped within two of her hull lengths to leeward of a boat on the same tack, she shall not sail above her proper course while they remain on the same tack and overlapped within that distance, unless in doing so she promptly sails astern of the other boat.
SECTION C
AT MARKS AND OBSTRUCTIONS
Section C rules do not apply between boats when the mark or obstruction referred to in those rules is a starting mark surrounded by navigable water or its anchor line, from the time the boats are approaching it to start until they have left it astern.
18 MARK-ROOM
When Rule 18 Applies
18.1. (a) Rule 18 applies between boats when they are required to leave a mark on the same side and at least one of them is in the zone. However, it does not apply
(1) between boats on opposite tacks on a beat to windward,
(2) between boats on opposite tacks when the proper course at the mark for one but not both of them is to tack,
(3) between a boat approaching a mark and one leaving it, or
(4) if the mark is a continuing obstruction, in which case rule 19 applies.
(b) Rule 18 no longer applies between boats when mark-room has been given.
18.2 Giving Mark-Room
(a) When the first of two boats reaches the zone,
(1) if the boats are overlapped, the outside boat at that
moment shall give the inside boat mark-room;
(2) if the boats are not overlapped, the boat that has not reached the zone at that moment shall give the other boat mark-room.
18.2. When a boat is required to give mark-room by this rule, she shall continue to do so for as long as this rule applies, even if later an overlap is broken or a new overlap begins.
(b) Rule 18.2(a) no longer applies if the boat entitled to mark- room passes head to wind or leaves the zone.
(c) When rule 18.2(a) does not apply and the boats are overlapped, the outside boat shall give the inside boat mark-room.
(d) If a boat obtained an inside overlap from clear astern or by tacking to windward of the other boat and, from the time the overlap began, the outside boat has been unable to give mark-room, rules 18.2(a) and 18.2(c) do not apply between them.
(e) If there is reasonable doubt that a boat obtained or broke an overlap in time, it shall be presumed that she did not.
18.3 Tacking in the Zone
If a boat passes head to wind from port to starboard tack in the zone of a mark to be left to port, rule 18.2 does not apply between her and another boat on starboard tack that is fetching the mark. If the other boat has been on starboard tack since entering the zone, the boat that passed head to wind
(a) shall not cause the other boat to sail above close-hauled to avoid contact, and
(b) shall give mark-room if the other boat becomes overlapped inside her.
18.4. Gybing in the Zone
When an inside overlapped right-of-way boat must gybe at a mark to sail her proper course, until she gybes she shall sail no farther from the mark than needed to sail that course. Rule 18.4 does not apply at a gate mark.
19 ROOM TO PASS AN OBSTRUCTION
19.1. When Rule 19 Applies
Rule 19 applies between two boats at an obstruction except when rule 18 applies between them and
(a) the obstruction is the mark, or
(b) the obstruction is another boat overlapped with each of them.
However, at a continuing obstruction, rule 19 always applies and rule 18 does not.
19.2. Giving Room at an Obstruction
(a) A right-of-way boat may choose to pass an obstruction on her port or starboard side.
(b) When the boats are overlapped, the outside boat shall give the inside boat room between her and the obstruction, unless she has been unable to do so from the time the overlap began.
(c) While boats are passing a continuing obstruction, if a boat that was clear astern and required to keep clear becomes overlapped between the other boat and the obstruction and, at the moment the overlap begins, there is not room for her to pass between them,
(1) she is not entitled to room under rule 19.2(b), and
(2) while the boats remain overlapped, she shall keep
clear and rules 10 and 11 do not apply.
20 ROOM TO TACK AT AN OBSTRUCTION
20.1 Hailing
A boat may hail for room to tack and avoid a boat on the same tack by hailing ‘Room to tack’. However, she shall not hail unless
(a) she is approaching an obstruction and will soon need to make a substantial course change to avoid it safely, and
(b) she is sailing close-hauled or above. In addition, she shall not hail if the obstruction is a mark and a boat that is fetching it would be required to change course as a result of the hail. If a right-of-way boat changes course when choosing on which side to pass the obstruction, she shall give the other boat room to keep clear.
20.2 Responding
When a boat has been hailed for room to tack and she intends to respond by tacking, she may hail another boat on the same tack for room to tack and avoid her. She may hail even if her hail does not meet the conditions of rule 20.1. Rule 20.2 applies between her and a boat she hails.
Additional Requirements for Hails
OTHER RULES
When rule 21 or 22 applies between two boats, Section A rules do not.
STARTING ERRORS; TAKING PENALTIES; BACKING A SAIL
A boat sailing towards the pre-start side of the starting line or one of its extensions after her starting signal to start or to comply
20.3
20.4
21 21.1
Part 2
WHEN BOATS MEET
with rule 30.1 shall keep clear of a boat not doing so until her hull is completely on the pre-start side.
A boat taking a penalty shall keep clear of one that is not.
A boat moving astern, or sideways to windward, through the
water by backing a sail shall keep clear of one that is not. CAPSIZED, ANCHORED OR AGROUND; RESCUING
If possible, a boat shall avoid a boat that is capsized or has not regained control after capsizing, is anchored or aground, or is trying to help a person or vessel in danger. A boat is capsized when her masthead is in the water.
INTERFERING WITH ANOTHER BOAT
If reasonably possible, a boat not racing shall not interfere with a boat that is racing.
If reasonably possible, a boat shall not interfere with a boat that is taking a penalty, sailing on another leg or subject to rule 21.1. However, after the starting signal this rule does not apply when the boat is sailing her proper course.
A term used as stated below is shown in italic type or, in preambles, in bold italic type. The meaning of several other terms is given in Terminology in the Introduction.
Abandon A race that a race committee or protest committee abandons is void but may be resailed.
Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap One boat is clear astern of another when her hull and equipment in normal position are behind a line abeam from the aftermost point of the other boat’s hull and equipment in normal position. The other boat is clear ahead. They overlap when neither is clear astern. However, they also overlap when a boat between them overlaps both. These terms always apply to boats on the same tack. They apply to boats on opposite tacks only when rule 18 applies between them or when both boats are sailing more than ninety degrees from the true wind.
Committee The protest committee, the race committee or the technical committee.
Conflict of Interest A conflict of interest exists if a person
(a) may gain or lose as a result of a decision to which that person
contributes,
(b) may reasonably appear to have a personal or financial interest which could affect that person’s ability to be impartial, or
(c) has a close personal interest in a decision.
Continuing Obstruction An obstruction is a continuing obstruction when the boat with the shortest hull referred to in the rule using the term will pass alongside it for at least three of her hull lengths. However, the following are not a continuing obstruction: a vessel under way, a boat racing, or a race committee vessel that is also a mark.
Fetching A boat is fetching a mark when she is in a position to pass to windward of it and leave it on the required side without changing tack.
Finish A boat finishes when, after her starting signal, any part of her hull crosses the finishing line from the course side. However, she has not finished if after crossing the finishing line she
(a) takes a penalty under rule 44.2,
(b) corrects an error in sailing the course made at the line, or
(c) continues to sail the course.
After finishing she need not cross the finishing line completely. The sailing instructions may change the direction in which boats are required to cross the finishing line to finish.
Keep Clear A boat keeps clear of a right-of-way boat
(a) if the right-of-way boat can sail her course with no need to take avoiding action and,
(b) when the boats are overlapped, if the right-of-way boat can also change course in both directions without immediately making contact.
Leeward and Windward A boat’s leeward side is the side that is or, when she is head to wind, was away from the wind. However, when sailing by the lee or directly downwind, her leeward side is the side on which her mainsail lies. The other side is her windward side. When two boats on the same tack overlap, the one on the leeward side of the other is the leeward boat. The other is the windward boat.
Mark An object the sailing instructions require a boat to leave on a specified side, a race committee vessel surrounded by navigable water from which the starting or finishing line extends, and an object intentionally attached to the object or vessel. However, an anchor line is not part of the mark.
Mark-Room Room for a boat
(a) to sail to the mark when her proper course is to sail close to it,
(b) to round or pass the mark on the required side, and
(c) to leave it astern.
Obstruction An obstruction is
(a) an object, area or line that is so designated in a rule; or
(b) an object that can be safely passed on only one side.
(c). an object that a boat could not pass without changing course substantially, if she were sailing directly towards it and one of her hull lengths from it;
However, a boat racing is not an obstruction to other boats unless they are required to keep clear of her or, if rule 22 applies, avoid her.
Overlap See Clear Astern and Clear Ahead; Overlap.
Party A party to a hearing is
(a) for a protest hearing: a protestor, a protestee;
(b) for a redress hearing: a boat requesting redress or for which redress is requested; a boat for which a hearing is called to consider redress under rule 61.1; a committee acting under rule 61.1;
(c) for a redress hearing under rule 61.4(b)(1): the body alleged to have made an improper action or omission;
(d) a person against whom an allegation of a breach of rule 69.1(a) is made; a person presenting an allegation under rule 69.2(e)(1);
(e) a support person subject to a hearing under rule 62 or 69; any boat that person supports; a person appointed to present an allegation under rule 62.2.
However, the protest committee is never a party.
Postpone A postponed race is delayed before its scheduled start but may be started or abandoned later.
Proper Course A course a boat would choose in order to sail the course as quickly as possible in the absence of the other boats referred to in the rule using the term. A boat has no proper course before her starting signal.
Protest An allegation made under rule 60 by a boat or a committee that a boat has broken a rule.
Racing A boat is racing from her preparatory signal until she finishes and clears the finishing line and marks or retires, or until the race committee signals a general recall, postponement or abandonment.
Room The space a boat needs in the existing conditions, including space to comply with her obligations under the rules of Part 2 and rule 31, while manoeuvring promptly in a seamanlike way.
Rule
(a) The rules in this book, including the Definitions, Race Signals, Introduction, preambles and the rules of relevant appendices, but not the Basic Principles or titles;
(b) World Sailing Regulations that have been designated by World Sailing as having the status of a rule and are published on the World Sailing website;
(c) the prescriptions of the national authority, unless they are changed by the notice of race or sailing instructions in compliance with the national authority’s prescription, if any, to rule 88.2;
(d) the class rules (for a boat racing under a handicap or rating system, the rules of that system are ‘class rules’);
(e) the notice of race;
(f) the sailing instructions; and
(g) any other documents that govern the event.
Sail the Course A boat sails the course when
(a) she starts
(b) a string representing her track until she finishes, when drawn taut,
(1) passes each mark of the course for the race on the required side and in the correct order (including the starting marks),(
(2) touches each mark designated in the sailing instructions to be a rounding mark, and
(3) passes between the marks of a gate from the direction of the course from the previous mark; and then
(c) she finishes.
A mark that does not begin, bound or end the leg the boat is sailing does not have a required side.
Start A boat starts when, her hull having been entirely on the pre-start side of the starting line at or after her starting signal, and having complied with rule 30.1 if it applies, any part of her hull crosses the starting line from the pre-start side to the course side.
Support Person Any person who
(a) provides, or may provide, physical or advisory support to a competitor, including any coach, trainer, manager, team staff, medic, paramedic or any other person working with, treating or assisting a competitor in or preparing for the competition, or
(b) is the parent or guardian of a competitor.
Tack, Starboard or Port A boat is on the tack, starboard or port, corresponding to her windward side.
Windward See Leeward and Windward.
Zone The area around a mark within a distance of three hull lengths of the boat nearer to it. A boat is in the zone when any part of her hull is in the zone.
BASIC PRINCIPLES
The Basic Principles shall not be changed.
SPORTSMANSHIP AND THE RULES
Competitors in the sport of sailing are governed by a body of rules that they are expected to follow and enforce. A fundamental principle of sportsmanship is that when a boat breaks a rule and is not exonerated, she will promptly take an appropriate penalty or action, which may be to retire.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
Participants are encouraged to minimize any adverse environmental impact of the sport of sailing.
PART 1
FUNDAMENTAL RULES
1 SAFETY
1.1 Helping Those in Danger
A boat, competitor or support person shall give all possible help to any person or vessel in danger.
1.2 Life-Saving Equipment and Personal Flotation Devices
A boat shall carry adequate life-saving equipment for all persons on board, including one item ready for immediate use, unless her class rules make some other provision. Each competitor is individually responsible for wearing a personal flotation device adequate for the conditions.
Refer to the Australian Sailing prescription to rule 48. 2 FAIR SAILING
A boat and her owner shall compete in compliance with recognized principles of sportsmanship and fair play. A boat may be penalized under this rule only if it is clearly established that these principles have been violated. The penalty shall be a disqualification that is not excludable.
DECISION TO RACE
The responsibility for a boat’s decision to participate in a race or to continue racing is hers alone.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE RULES
By participating or intending to participate in an event conducted under the rules, each competitor and boat owner agrees to accept the rules.
(b) A support person by providing support, or a parent or guardian by permitting their child to enter an event, agrees to accept the rules.
Each competitor and boat owner agrees, on behalf of their support persons, that such support persons are bound by the rules.
Acceptance of the rules includes agreement
(a) to be governed by the rules;
(b) to accept the penalties imposed and other action taken under the rules, subject to the appeal and review procedures provided in them, as the final determination of any matter arising under the rules;
(c) with respect to any such determination, not to resort to any court of law or tribunal not provided for in the rules; and
(d) by each competitor and boat owner to ensure that their support persons are aware of the rules. The person in charge of each boat shall ensure that all competitors in the crew and the boat’s owner are aware of their responsibilities under this rule.
This rule may be changed by a prescription of the national authority of the venue.
RULES GOVERNING ORGANIZING AUTHORITIES AND OFFICIALS
The organizing authority, a committee and other race officials shall be governed by the rules in the conduct and judging of the event.
WORLD SAILING REGULATIONS
Each competitor, boat owner and support person shall comply with the World Sailing Regulations that have been designated by World Sailing as having the status of a rule. These regulations as of 30 June 2024 are the World Sailing:
- ● Advertising Code
- ● Anti-Doping Code
- ● Code of Ethics
- ● Eligibility Code
- ● Sailor Categorization Code
The national authority procedural rules required by World Sailing Regulations to implement the World Anti-Doping Code through the Regulations are set out in the Australian Sailing National Integrity Framework and Improper Use of Drugs and Medicine Policy, as published on the Australian Sailing website.
When the right to display advertising on a boat is subject to prior authorisation by the national authority in accordance with the Regulations, the approval of Australian Sailing is automatically granted provided that such advertising is permitted by the relevant rules of the class, rating system or handicapping system. When the person in charge of a boat chooses to display Advertising, Australian Sailing will not impose a fee as permitted by the Regulations.
The rules of Part 5 do not apply unless protests are permitted in the Regulation alleged to have been broken.
PART 2
WHEN BOATS MEET
The rules of Part 2 apply between boats that are sailing in or near the racing area and intend to race, are racing, or have been racing. However, a boat not racing shall not be penalized for breaking one of these rules, except rule 14 when the incident resulted in injury or serious damage, or rule 23.1.
When a boat sailing under these rules meets a vessel that is not, she shall comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (IRPCAS) or government right-of- way rules. If the notice of race so states, the rules of Part 2 are replaced by the right-of-way rules of the IRPCAS or by government right-of-way rules.
SECTION A
RIGHT OF WAY
A boat has right of way over another boat when the other boat is required to keep clear of her. However, some rules in Sections B, C and D limit the actions of a right-of-way boat.
10 ON OPPOSITE TACKS
When boats are on opposite tacks, a port-tack boat shall keep clear of a starboard-tack boat.
11 ON THE SAME TACK, OVERLAPPED
When boats are on the same tack and overlapped, a windward boat shall keep clear of a leeward boat.
12 ON THE SAME TACK, NOT OVERLAPPED
When boats are on the same tack and not overlapped, a boat clear astern shall keep clear of a boat clear ahead.
13 WHILE TACKING
After a boat passes head to wind, she shall keep clear of other boats until she is on a close-hauled course. During that time rules 10, 11 and 12 do not apply. If two boats are subject to this rule at the same time, the one on the other’s port side or the one astern shall keep clear.
SECTION B
GENERAL LIMITATIONS
14 AVOIDING CONTACT
If reasonably possible, a boat shall
- (a) avoid contact with another boat,
- (b) not cause contact between boats, and
- (c) not cause contact between a boat and an object that should be avoided.
15 ACQUIRING RIGHT OF WAY
When a boat acquires right of way, she shall initially give the other boat room to keep clear, unless she acquires right of way because of the other boat’s actions.
16 CHANGING COURSE
16.1. When a right-of-way boat changes course, she shall give the other boat room to keep clear.
16.2 In addition, on a beat to windward when a port-tack boat is keeping clear by sailing to pass to leeward of a starboard-tack boat, the starboard-tack boat shall not bear away if as a result the port-tack boat must change course immediately to continue keeping clear.
17 ON THE SAME TACK; PROPER COURSE
If a boat clear astern becomes overlapped within two of her hull lengths to leeward of a boat on the same tack, she shall not sail above her proper course while they remain on the same tack and overlapped within that distance, unless in doing so she promptly sails astern of the other boat.
SECTION C
AT MARKS AND OBSTRUCTIONS
Section C rules do not apply between boats when the mark or obstruction referred to in those rules is a starting mark surrounded by navigable water or its anchor line, from the time the boats are approaching it to start until they have left it astern.
18 MARK-ROOM
When Rule 18 Applies
18.1. (a) Rule 18 applies between boats when they are required to leave a mark on the same side and at least one of them is in the zone. However, it does not apply
(1) between boats on opposite tacks on a beat to windward,
(2) between boats on opposite tacks when the proper course at the mark for one but not both of them is to tack,
(3) between a boat approaching a mark and one leaving it, or
(4) if the mark is a continuing obstruction, in which case rule 19 applies.
(b) Rule 18 no longer applies between boats when mark-room has been given.
18.2 Giving Mark-Room
(a) When the first of two boats reaches the zone,
(1) if the boats are overlapped, the outside boat at that
moment shall give the inside boat mark-room;
(2) if the boats are not overlapped, the boat that has not reached the zone at that moment shall give the other boat mark-room.
18.2. When a boat is required to give mark-room by this rule, she shall continue to do so for as long as this rule applies, even if later an overlap is broken or a new overlap begins.
(b) Rule 18.2(a) no longer applies if the boat entitled to mark- room passes head to wind or leaves the zone.
(c) When rule 18.2(a) does not apply and the boats are overlapped, the outside boat shall give the inside boat mark-room.
(d) If a boat obtained an inside overlap from clear astern or by tacking to windward of the other boat and, from the time the overlap began, the outside boat has been unable to give mark-room, rules 18.2(a) and 18.2(c) do not apply between them.
(e) If there is reasonable doubt that a boat obtained or broke an overlap in time, it shall be presumed that she did not.
18.3 Tacking in the Zone
If a boat passes head to wind from port to starboard tack in the zone of a mark to be left to port, rule 18.2 does not apply between her and another boat on starboard tack that is fetching the mark. If the other boat has been on starboard tack since entering the zone, the boat that passed head to wind
(a) shall not cause the other boat to sail above close-hauled to avoid contact, and
(b) shall give mark-room if the other boat becomes overlapped inside her.
18.4. Gybing in the Zone
When an inside overlapped right-of-way boat must gybe at a mark to sail her proper course, until she gybes she shall sail no farther from the mark than needed to sail that course. Rule 18.4 does not apply at a gate mark.
19 ROOM TO PASS AN OBSTRUCTION
19.1. When Rule 19 Applies
Rule 19 applies between two boats at an obstruction except when rule 18 applies between them and
(a) the obstruction is the mark, or
(b) the obstruction is another boat overlapped with each of them.
However, at a continuing obstruction, rule 19 always applies and rule 18 does not.
19.2. Giving Room at an Obstruction
(a) A right-of-way boat may choose to pass an obstruction on her port or starboard side.
(b) When the boats are overlapped, the outside boat shall give the inside boat room between her and the obstruction, unless she has been unable to do so from the time the overlap began.
(c) While boats are passing a continuing obstruction, if a boat that was clear astern and required to keep clear becomes overlapped between the other boat and the obstruction and, at the moment the overlap begins, there is not room for her to pass between them,
(1) she is not entitled to room under rule 19.2(b), and
(2) while the boats remain overlapped, she shall keep
clear and rules 10 and 11 do not apply.
20 ROOM TO TACK AT AN OBSTRUCTION
20.1 Hailing
A boat may hail for room to tack and avoid a boat on the same tack by hailing ‘Room to tack’. However, she shall not hail unless
(a) she is approaching an obstruction and will soon need to make a substantial course change to avoid it safely, and
(b) she is sailing close-hauled or above. In addition, she shall not hail if the obstruction is a mark and a boat that is fetching it would be required to change course as a result of the hail. If a right-of-way boat changes course when choosing on which side to pass the obstruction, she shall give the other boat room to keep clear.
20.2 Responding
- (a) After a boat hails, she shall give a hailed boat time to respond.
- (b) A hailed boat shall respond even if the hail breaks rule 20.1.
- (c) A hailed boat shall respond either by tacking as soon as possible, or by immediately replying ‘You tack’ and then giving the hailing boat room to tack and avoid her.
- (d) When a hailed boat responds, the hailing boat shall tack as soon as possible.
- (e) From the time a boat hails until she has tacked and avoided a hailed boat, rule 18.2 does not apply between them.
When a boat has been hailed for room to tack and she intends to respond by tacking, she may hail another boat on the same tack for room to tack and avoid her. She may hail even if her hail does not meet the conditions of rule 20.1. Rule 20.2 applies between her and a boat she hails.
Additional Requirements for Hails
- (a) When conditions are such that a hail may not be heard, the boat shall also make a signal that clearly indicates her need for room to tack or her response.
- (b) The notice of race may specify an alternative communication for a boat to indicate her need for room to tack or her response, and require boats to use it.
OTHER RULES
When rule 21 or 22 applies between two boats, Section A rules do not.
STARTING ERRORS; TAKING PENALTIES; BACKING A SAIL
A boat sailing towards the pre-start side of the starting line or one of its extensions after her starting signal to start or to comply
20.3
20.4
21 21.1
Part 2
WHEN BOATS MEET
with rule 30.1 shall keep clear of a boat not doing so until her hull is completely on the pre-start side.
A boat taking a penalty shall keep clear of one that is not.
A boat moving astern, or sideways to windward, through the
water by backing a sail shall keep clear of one that is not. CAPSIZED, ANCHORED OR AGROUND; RESCUING
If possible, a boat shall avoid a boat that is capsized or has not regained control after capsizing, is anchored or aground, or is trying to help a person or vessel in danger. A boat is capsized when her masthead is in the water.
INTERFERING WITH ANOTHER BOAT
If reasonably possible, a boat not racing shall not interfere with a boat that is racing.
If reasonably possible, a boat shall not interfere with a boat that is taking a penalty, sailing on another leg or subject to rule 21.1. However, after the starting signal this rule does not apply when the boat is sailing her proper course.